Kai and I plus friends drove up to the kiddie pool in Santa Barbara after our morning beach run/walk. As I anticipated, Kai was a cranky, hot mess since the pool didn’t open until his naptime at 11. But when we finally came back home, he napped for a whopping FOUR hours!

There is just something so special between fathers and sons. I never knew how much joy I could feel watching my husband and son play (er, rough-house, act crazy, whatever you want to call it) together.

At the park the other day, I was stunned as I stared at Kai’s face and realized how much he’s growing up and really starting to become a “mini-Ryan.”

I’ve known mothers who were fearful of raising a second child. “How can I possibly love the new baby as much as I love my daughter?” one sister admitted during her testimony in Relief Society. “How can I have any more capacity to love another?”

As I progressed through my pregnancy, I feared I would feel the same. That I just couldn’t possibly love anymore and wouldn’t have room in my heart for another child. But then I see this:

Two best friends, Ryan and Kai. A father who so much as looks at his son in a funny way to start a riot of giggles and a son who has filled my life more than I could have possibly imagined. And I realize that I want more; more running around the house in a game of chase, more kisses and hugs, more laughter and silliness, more love.

Daxton Noah Kirk, we can’t wait to meet you.

Like many of you, I have a self-proclaimed addiction to the internet. One of my frequent internet haunts is the Ventura County Moms Group message board where I read posts by uber-rich moms who shamelessly declare their ownership of SIX Britax carseats and more than a thousand dollars worth of designer denim. I learn how one mom restricts the amount of sugar her toddler eats–ruling out even ketchup. But really, we’re just a bunch of women–most of us first-time mothers–trying to figure out parenthood by sharing advice and our experiences.

One of the latest threads was titled “Confessions.” Here’s what I ‘fessed up to:

I let Kai mess with the price scanner and telephone in the baby section at Target while I quickly browse the nearest clearance rack.

I’m not consistent with all my disciplining. I look the other way sometimes when Kai is chasing down our cat so he can wrestle her, because it means he’s entertained and I could finish getting our meal ready.

Ryan and I are full of lies. We tell him things are “broken” or “all gone” all the time.

When I’m just too exhausted to retrieve my shoes, I ask Kai to get them for me. He thinks it’s a great game, and I milk it when I can.

Because it doesn’t have to be a thrashing/kicking/shrieking session every night–as long as you’re willing to shell out three bucks for an electric Sesame Street toothbrush. (Plus the cost of frequently replacing AA batteries, since the kid likes to brush his teeth now for like, half an hour).

Now, what kind of gadget must I resort to next to calm the crazy toddler tirade that ensues when I attempt to pry the toothbrush away?

Our friends Amy and Brian hosted a fun weekend BBQ at their home. The dads got to meet, kids got to play, Kai got soaking wet from some neighbor’s freak wayward sprinkler system, and we celebrated a bittersweet send-off for our good friend Angie and her family who is moving to Virginia in a couple weeks.

After a few weeks of Kai’s bedtime ritual of hopping out of the crib, we decided to finally make the leap and remove the side, converting it into a “big-boy” bed. I was a little sad to see him make the transition from “baby” to “little dude,” but Kai could barely contain his excitement once he saw could climb in and out on a whim.

Miraculously, he’s been doing awesome. Sure he’ll get up and play for twenty minutes when he’s actually supposed to be in bed, but at least it comes without the risk of him breaking a limb–peace of mind for mom, for sure. He still sleeps through the night, and still takes his 2 1/2 hour nap. Usually.

Not digging the whole waking up at 6am thing, but we’ve come a loooong way, so I’m not complaining.

Jobs I’ve Held
1. Full-time stay-at-home mom & wife (Best job, HARDEST job)
2. Graphic designer
3. Check-out person for reserve course material in lame-o Reserve Room at Cal Poly library

Movies I Can Watch Over and Over
1. Moulin Rouge
2. Roman Holiday
3. Breakfast at Tiffany’s
4. My Fair Lady
*Anything Audrey Hepburn!*

My Guilty Pleasures
1. Reading celebrity gossip blogs
2. Ben & Jerry’s
3. Shopping for baby clothes
4. My daily two-hour nap

Places I Have Lived
1. Ventura, CA
2. Santa Barbara, CA
3. San Luis Obispo, CA
4. San Jose, CA
5. Chicago, IL
6. Traverse City, MI

Shows I Enjoy
1. Heroes
2. Lost
3. Ugly Betty
4. The Office
5. Arrested Development

What were likely the 1st things you thought when you saw your significant other for the first time?
1. Hmmm, he seems nice
2. He’s quiet
3. His hair is slicky

In a “Jam” with your spouse, what tactics do you use to get out of the doghouse?
1. Say sorry and apologize
2. Act extra nice
3. Bribe with candy

Places I’ve Been on Vacation
1. Mexico
2. San Diego
3. Chicago

Favorite Foods
1. Burgers from the Habit
2. Veggie burritos
3. Filipino food
4. Thai

Websites I Visit (almost) Daily
1. gmail
2. Message board for Ventura County Mom’s Group
3. Drudge Report
4. I’m Not Obsessed

Body Parts I Have Injured
1. My stomach. And other places… Because having an almost 10lb baby counts as an injury. WORD!
2. Knee. I have the knee of an old man.

Nicknames I’ve been called
1. Bunny-fer
2. Funny-fer
3. Poop (racist kids can be so mean)

Now I Get to pick 4 other Blog buddies to do this! Tag your it!
1. Anna
2. Mandi, have you been tagged yet?
3. ———–
4. ———–

I don’t have any friends!! Actually, a lot of my friends don’t blog. For reals.